RESPONDING TO SUBMETERING PETITIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES Public Utility Law Project of New York, Inc. 194 Washington Avenue, Suite 420 Albany, NY 12210 Phone: 518-449-3375 800-255-7857 Fax: 518-449-1769 Website: www.pulp.tc May 2009

Tenants Facing Submetering

ORGANIZE & PLAN Tenant Association, Tenant Committee; or Contact Person Identify experts Identify elected officials Identify counsel

Resident Population Demographics GET THE FACTS Resident Population Demographics Rent regulation status Rent subsidy programs with utility allowances

Building Characteristics GET THE FACTS Building Characteristics Electric heat Landlord owned major appliances AC, Refrigerator, Cook stove, Dishwasher, Water Heater Thermal efficiency of building Roof, Windows, doors, wall insulation

GET THE FACTS Regulatory Time Frame Landlord’s petition to submeter SAPA Notice/Comment Period Landlord’s notices & informational meetings

ACTION Provide submetering education to tenants Contact elected officials

ACTION Submit timely written comments to PSC Request public hearing Thermal efficiency of building Landlord-owned appliance efficiency Rent-regulation and utility allowance status Public assistance payment acceptance Request public hearing

ACTION Take discovery Building and apartment monthly usage data Building usage data and bills, past 3 years Communications: with DPS staff; NYSERDA Building energy efficiency evaluations Blind, disabled, elderly, life support residents

ACTION Monitor PSC Meeting Agendas Other agencies (DHCR, Housing Subsidy Agencies)

ACTION Monitor shadow billing Stays, rehearing, vacatur if PSC Order is issued

Tenants Already Submetered

ORGANIZE & PLAN Tenant Association, Tenant Committee; or Contact Person Identify elected officials Identify counsel

LEASE AMENDMENTS Check lease provisions for electric charges being deemed additional rent Check lease provisions for: Landlord’s complaint procedures Notice of PSC complaint resolution Method of rate calculation Rate cap

MONITOR RATE CAP Use PULP bill calculator monthly Check for excessive late fees

Public Assistance Landlord acceptance of: HEAP & Emergency HEAP Home Energy Allowance & Supplemental Home Energy Allowance Fuel-For-Heating Allowance § 131-s Emergency Utility Allowance

METERING ISSUES “crossed wires” and shared meters,

METERING ISSUES Meter accuracy

METERING ISSUES High or erratic electric consumption

File Unresolved Complaints with PSC

PSC Complaint Process 1-800-342-3355 (Shut-offs) 1-800-342-3377 (Billing disputes)

PSC Complaint Process Get complaint number If dissatisfied, seek informal review or informal hearing Appeal decision to PSC

ACTION Seek re-hearing of PSC submetering approval order Contact elected officials Contact counsel

ACTION Take discovery Building and apartment monthly usage data Work papers supporting shadow bills Building usage data and bills, past 3 years Communications: with DPS staff; NYSERDA Building energy efficiency evaluations Blind, disabled, elderly, life support residents